============================================= || || 10th June 2018 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin. Invite new readers to give it a try. We really need your help with this. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** I would like to thank David Sheppard and Richard Davidson for the excellent "Solitary Bees" workshop at Whisby last Saturday. These short courses are very interesting and a brilliant starting point for learning about new groups of species. The next course is Hoverflies - July 28th - with Phil Porter & David Denman. More information further down this section. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Prior booking is essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com The LoveLincs Plants project offers another brilliant training opportunity for anyone who would like to extend their botanical knowledge. See Aidan Neary's on the free Field Identification Studies Certificate (FISC) assessment in July. Congratulations winners and runners-up in this year's Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. The following link provides the details: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/2018/05/23/road-surfacing-firm-wins-lincolnshire-environmental-awards BBC2's "Springwatch" Did you see Chris du Feu enthuse about Tree Slugs? See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p068n66y https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/epq9hn/live/cchp5v [new link] Thanks to all who have successfully "opted-in" to the Bulletin mailing list. A few of you have not and I am surprised that this includes some regular readers. For that reason I have not knocked you off, yet, but it is time for you to double-check if you have any doubts. Please click on "Update Subscription Preferences" link at the bottom of this Bulletin, scroll down and tick the relevant box if you need to. You need a tick in the email box. If you don't put one in, I will conclude you mean it. Bittern-listening. A request from Dave Miller: If any readers are around the reedbeds at Chapel Pit, Chapel Six Marshes, Wolla Bank Reedbed or Huttoft Pit at these times would they please listen out for these reclusive birds and let me know, even if one is NOT heard, at dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDOlQhG40SU As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: RSPB Frampton Marsh Nature wins Trip Adviser certificate of Excellence. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g315978-d3257327-Reviews-RSPB_Frampton_Marsh_Nature_Reserve-Boston_Lincolnshire_England.html Flying Ants - BWARS asks for you r records: http://www.bwars.com/ What do slugs hate? Home remedies put to the test https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44357663 'Scourge' of debris on beaches tackled https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44315874 Otter dissection at Cardiff University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_8cbbGRiPg 'If the ocean dies, so do we' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44338877 More links in "..and finally..." Thank you for all your contributions this week. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Barn Owl Nest Box Webcam. The story continues.....*** Information on the young moles being predated. Estimated date for eggs hatching is 10th June - keep watching. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Whisby Natural History Workshops *** At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm.] Field Meetings 2018 - details on: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Next meeting: Shearman’s Wath / West Ashby Pits – Saturday 23rd June 2018 Shearman’s Wath next to West Ashby Pits. North of Horncastle A private site with access courtesy of Mike Harrison. Afternoon and evening moth/bat session. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then again from 21.00 for evening session. Meet and park on wide roadside verge at TF252719 (just east of River Bain bridge) which is located on minor road which joins the A158 and A153 north of Horncastle. Nearest postcode: LN9 5PP (which takes you slightly NE of meeting spot). NB. Some steep slopes and deep water areas. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Horncastle town centre. Habitats: Lakes, ponds, marsh, grassland, scrub Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** LoveLincsPlants Webpage: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lovelincsplants Reminder: Aidan Neary - LoveLincsPlants Project Officer writes: I have spaces available on a free Field Identification Studies Certificate (FISC) assessment day on Thursday 5th July at Whisby Education Centre led by Alex Prendergast from Natural England in association with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI). The FISC assessment is regarded as the industry standard for assessing botanical survey skill level. For more information about the botanical skills pyramid and the assessment see the BSBI website here: https://bsbi.org/field-skills This is the first FISC assessment to be held in Lincolnshire and will be an opportunity to meet other Lincolnshire botanists while also finding out how you can help with our Heritage Lottery Funded #LoveLincsPlants project. Reminder: To book on please ask interested trainee to send an email to: Aidan Neary aneary@lincstrust.co.uk TO HELP ASSESS YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS ASSESSMENT PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS OF YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT i.e. ecologist, student, unemployed. We will not pass your details on to any third party and you may request to be removed from our lists at any time by e-mailing (info@lincstrust.co.uk) or writing to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, LN9 5HF stating that you wish to be removed from the project botanists contact list. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** June Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Also see Pete Lawrence's Star Guide for May into June: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06755dk Heads up for Noctilucent Clouds - anyone see some this year? http://spaceweather.com/ https://britastro.org/node/9456 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Local RSPB links: *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Martin Francis writes: Attention All Naturalists The June Trip of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group is to RSPB Lakenheath and Weeting Heath (Norfolk Wildlife Trust). A chance to visit these rare habitats, with their amazing and unique biodiversity, might appeal to a wide range of naturalists. In particular, the Summer Warden at Weeting Heath, James Symonds, has offered to run moth traps on the night before the visit, take groups to view rare Breckland flora, and help find other specific invertebrates, fungi, lichen or flora, if given notice beforehand. It will be possible to spend part of the day at each site, or the whole day at Weeting Heath The trip takes place on Sunday 24th June, leaving Millman's in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am and arriving back at about 6.30pm. Pick-up can also be arranged in Louth and Boston. The cost of the trip is £20 per head, including entry to Weeting Heath - less from the other pick-up points. Booking is essential. To find out more, please contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on 01472 883436 South Lincs. RSPB "Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash" 2018 programme. 12 cruises scheduled for 2018 starting 11th May and ending 16th October. Further details,ticket prices and booking arrangements at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/450628/ Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** LWT Reserves: *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Area Groups *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/area-groups *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 23rd June 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a nature walk along the Louth Canal from Alvingham churches to Willows Lock. It will be a leisurely walk of 3 miles along this beautiful stretch of the canal. Meet the group at 10am in the car park area opposite the Mill and Farm entrance. Grid ref. TF367914. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Horncastle & Woodhall Spa area group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/hwsag/ *** Louth area group LWT *** http://lwt-lag.org.uk/ *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ I have adapted RBA pager data/information for the Bulletin by eliminating or consolidating repeated messages. Note - I have been leaving out late/historical reports to save going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important reports, marking them with a * to indicate their lateness. New pager awaited - reports suspended. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. NEAR LANGWORTH Brenda Edlington 1/6/2018 Road kill TF070770 (approx) A158 Badger Torksey SK 83829 80055 Peter Morrell 31.05.18 Badger roadkill on A156 Fillingham SK 95486 86414 Peter Morrell 31.05.18 Badger roadkill on Middle Street Glentworth SK 94948 88262 Peter Morrell 01.06.18 Badger road kill on Middle Street Scampton SK 97280 79218 Peter Morrell 24.05.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A15 Scotter SE 89017 01700 Peter Morrell 25.05.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Messingham Road Redbourne SK 97203 99863 Peter Morrell 25.05.18 Hedgehog road kill on High Street Hibaldstow SE 97699 02290 Peter Morrell 25.05.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Redbourne Road Brigg TA 02506 07283 Peter Morrell 28.05.18 Roe deer roadkill on Bigby High Road Doddington SK 90086 70180 Peter Morrell 31.05.18 Hedgehog road kill on Saxilby Road Stow SK 88443 81441 Peter Morrell 03.06.18 Hare road kill on Sturton Road *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons w/o 3/6/2018 Tree Bee - Bombus hypnorum - colony in fascia of our garage. Cuckoo heard along Water Rail Way. [River Witham] 10am on 2/6/2018 BOSTON (S. By A16) May 2018 Kathleen Pearson During May, I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on 25 days. Currently I am trying to assess if there have been any changes in the birds seen since substantial work on the garden following the damage caused by the weather of ‘The Beast of the East’ earlier this year. Significant changes may arise from the loss of most of the trees in the former 40 metre northern hedge. The 23 species seen, are below, with the highest numbers present at one time. Blackbird 4, Great Tit 3, Robin 4, Starling 23, Chiffchaff 1, Woodpigeon 4, Wren 1, House Sparrow 8, Collared Dove 3, Greenfinch 5, Goldfinch 5, Blue Tit 2, Pied Wagtail 2, Dunnock 2, Chaffinch 2, Magpie 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Jay 1, Song Thrush 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Jackdaw 1, Black-headed Gull 2 and Lesser Black-backed Gull 3. The garden nest box produced seven Blue Tits, which were ringed. Non-avian species were hedgehog, pipistrelle, grey squirrel and frog. Nine butterflies were seen this month - Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood. GREAT LIMBER - MAUSOLEUM WOODS (Grid reference TA1308, TA1309, TA1209) 3/6/2018 Jon Drakes, Tracey Smith and Mike Wilson An early walk on a overcast, misty, Sunday morning found the following species recorded: Blackbird Blackcap Blue Tit Buzzard Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Goldcrest Great Tit Greater Spotted Woodpecker Green Woodpecker Long-tailed Tit Robin Song Thrush Starling Also seen were: Roe Deer Cinnebar moth Speckled Wood butterfly HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 23/5/2018 Blackbird 1 recently fledged Chaffinch 1 25/5/2018 Great tit 1 Sparrowhawk 1 in garden twice Wren 1 26/5/2018 Carder bee 1 Orange tip 1 Sparrowhawk 1 27/5/2018 Orange tip 1 28/5/2018 Anania hortulata Small Magpie moth 1 Blue tit 1 Red admiral 1 Newt 1 Wrens 2 30/5/2018 Eysarcoris venustissimus Woundwort shieldbug 15 on marsh woundwort Great tit 1 Holly blue 1 Orange tip 1 Wood mouse 1 Wrens 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 2/6/2018 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Starling 15 Robin 1 Blackbird 4 Dunnock 2 Blue Tit 1 Woodpigeon 1 Goldfinch 1 House Sparrow 20 Greenfinch 2 Collared Dove 3 Chaffinch 1 Jackdaw 1 Swallow Swift LINCS WT MOOR FARM NR - WOODHALL SPA (Grid reference TF2263) 27/5/2018 Jon Drakes An evening walk around this reserve near Woodhall Spa found the following species present: Blackbird Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Cuckoo 2 Great Tit Green Woodpecker House Sparrow Jackdaw Jay Kestrel Magpie Mallard Pheasant Pied Wagtail Also seen were hundreds of Rabbits! LINCS WT KIRKBY MOOR NR - WOODHALL SPA (Grid reference TF2262) 28/5/2018 Jon Drakes and James Drakes An evening visit to this reserve found the following species recorded: Carrion Crow Chiffchaff Coot Cuckoo Green Woodpecker 2 Jackdaw Meadow Pipit Mistle Thrush Pheasant Skylark Swallow Woodpigeon LINCS WT MOOR FARM NR - WOODHALL SPA (Grid reference TF2263) 29/5/2018 Jon Drakes Species recorded during a second evening visit to this reserve during t he week were: Black-headed Gull Blackbird Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Common Tern Cuckoo Feral Pigeon Herring Gull Jackdaw Magpie Mallard Mistle Thrush Pheasant Song Thrush Woodpigeon Also seen were hundreds of Rabbits. LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 2/5/18 Goldfinch – 1, 3/5/18 Great Tit – 1, House Sparrows – 6, 10/5/18 Song Thrush – 2, Starling – 1, 19/5/18, Holly Blue butterfly – 1, Robin – 1. SNITTERBY CARR BRIDGE FARM TF018946 Patty Phillips 29 May 2018 8am Cuckoo heard calling ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 30th May 2018 – 6th June 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. May weather report: Complicated weather systems influenced the weather over the UK during May. For the first few days a low pressure over the SE drifted NE allowing a high pressure system to develop over W Europe bringing a spell of hot, sunny weather when temperatures rose to 25.75°C on the 8th. A low moved in from the W bringing cooler, fresher air but remaining dry. There then followed more high pressures, initially from the W but then SE. These gave more hot sunny weather over the UK but along the North Sea coast the weather from the 12th - 31st remained cold, low cloud (with a very occasional sunny break) and sea mist due to continual on shore north-easterlies. Daytime temperatures only reached the mid-teens, several degrees lower than those inland. Ground frosts were recorded on the 1st (-2.25°C and air -0.25°C), 3rd (-0.5°C), 18th (-1.0°C) and 19th (-1.75°C). Total rainfall for the month was 29.0 mm (1.14 inches), the majority of which fell in for brief spells of heavy rain on the 2nd (5.8mm), 12th (6.2mm), 24th (6.2mm) and 29th (9.9mm). Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings: 300518 A short eared owl seen at Rimac 310518 Male and female cuckoos calling and 2 turtle doves ‘purring’ in the Crook Bank area. Single short-eared owl hunting over scrub at Rimac and 2 hobbies in the area. Flowering yellow flag irises in the freshwater marsh. Male and female cuckoos heard at Brickyard. The humid conditions set natterjack toads ‘reeling’. Early evening 40+ house martins and 2 swallows feeding over sea buckthorn and sycamores at Sea View, 3 mistle thrushes on dune grassland nearby, cuckoo still heard regularly. 010618 A red admiral was seen on the wing at Sea View 020618 3 cuckoos and a short eared owl seen at Rimac. A late fieldfare was also spotted passing through. 040618 Turtle dove and cuckoo calling at Crook Bank. Several house martins feeding in the Sea View area. 050618 2 painted ladies on the wing Flowers include: southern and early marsh orchids, yellow flag iris, yellow rattle, and birds foot trefoil. Butterflies include: red admiral, wall brown, small copper, small heath, common blue, green veined white. Odonata: large red, azure blue, blue tailed and common blue damselflies, four spotted chaser, emperor and hairy dragonflies. Juvenile birdsnow include: whitethroat, avocet, great and blue tit, dunnock, linnet, robin, starling, song thrush and blackbird. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Brenda Edlington 1/6/2018 TF148740 WHITE TRAIL Blackbird Blackcap Blue tit Chiffchaff Coal tit Crow Great spotted woodpecker Great tit Long tailed tit Robin Whitethroat Willow warbler Wood pigeon Brimstone Marsh fritillary (many, some mating) (Little Scrubbs meadow) Speckled wood Orchids coming into flower (common spotted?) Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Meeting - The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs, private reserves etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available on the LNU website. LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals InsideEcology: Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ British geology maps now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Hare coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Wildlife Crime http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Weather Underground *** https://www.wunderground.com/ *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** Website not up to date. http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. For good advice for ALL nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Shearman’s Wath / West Ashby Pits – Saturday 23rd June 2018 Shearman’s Wath next to West Ashby Pits. North of Horncastle A private site with access courtesy of Mike Harrison. Afternoon and evening moth/bat session. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then again from 21.00 for evening session. Meet and park on wide roadside verge at TF252719 (just east of River Bain bridge) which is located on minor road which joins the A158 and A153 north of Horncastle. Nearest postcode: LN9 5PP (which takes you slightly NE of meeting spot). NB. Some steep slopes and deep water areas. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Horncastle town centre. Habitats: Lakes, ponds, marsh, grassland, scrub Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com South Ormsby Estate – Saturday 7th July 2018 Raithby Beck Wood – Saturday 4th August 2018 Sutton Bridge area – Sunday 2nd September 2018 Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 14th October 2018 Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Volunteer Days and Family Events *** Will Bartle writes: Friday 29th June 2018 – Laceby blow well Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group - The day will involve maintaining one of Lincolnshire's rare blow wells, removing the invasive plant Himalayan Balsam Friday 20th July 2018 – Classroom in the Woods – Ashby Cum Fenby Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group – Improving this beautiful part of Waithe beck at one of our previous restoration sites. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address' below, please let them know that their their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. Chris Andrews - soft - Email rejected due to security policies Paul Scott - hard - bad-mailbox - address cleaned If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Japanese whale hunters kill 122 pregnant minke http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44307396 Two different forms of water isolated for first time http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44305663 Country diary: dazzled by the common's treasure https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/24/country-diary-dazzled-by-the-commons-treasure-biggleswade-common-bedfordshire How we discovered 840 minor planets beyond Neptune – and what they can tell us https://theconversation.com/how-we-discovered-840-minor-planets-beyond-neptune-and-what-they-can-tell-us-96431 Country diary: terns return to their nesting sites along the shoreline https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/28/country-diary-terns-return-to-their-nesting-sites-along-the-shoreline Country diary: summer's lagging in the woods https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/31/country-diary-summer-meadow-woods-comins-coch-ceredigion#comment-116439503 Climate change has left some weasels with mismatched camouflage https://theconversation.com/climate-change-has-left-some-weasels-with-mismatched-camouflage-97138 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/